Terms of Demetress Bell contract point to short stay in Philly

Posted by Josh Alper on April 9, 2012, 4:34 PM EST

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The Eagles say that they were interested in signing tackle Demetress Bell before Jason Peters was lost for the season, but the details of the contract make it seem like he’s being viewed as a one-year replacement for his predecessor at left tackle in both Buffalo and Philadelphia.

It’s a five-year deal between Bell and the Eagles, but, like many other long-term deals, the chances of Bell seeing the full run of the contract are pretty slim. Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com reports that the deal will pay Bell $3.25 million in salary and bonuses in 2012 with no guaranteed money beyond this season. Bell’s base salaries will be $1 million in 2013, $6 million in 2014, $7 million in 2015 and $8.35 million in 2016.

Those last three years are pricey, but the 2013 salary is misleading. Bell will be due a $8.5 million roster bonus before next season. The Eagles can guarantee that bonus at any point to spread the cap hit over the final four years of the deal, but it seems more likely that they would want to revisit the overall deal before taking that step.

The numbers aren’t totally out of line for an elite left tackle, but Bell hasn’t proven to be one of those to this point in his career. He’s had trouble staying healthy and would need to do that while playing at a very high level to even start the discussion of keeping him at those numbers.

18 responses to “Terms of Demetress Bell contract point to short stay in Philly”

Isn’t that just a proper deal? …you prove to us you’re a Pro-Bowl LT, we’ll pay you like one? We’ll give you $3.25M up front since we’re in a bind, and this is your opportunity to make something for yourself in return?

Typical Eagles non-contract. Bell will be gone before that roster bonus kicks in. I doubt that they expect him to remain healthy all season. They figure that, by the time he does get in 2012, the O lineman they draft will be ready to step in and play. Likely, it involves moving Herremans around to fill the gap.

Why do they even bother masking it as a 5 year deal? Why not just give him a one year contract at whatever salary they agree on? I’m sure that there’s a logical reason for doing the way that they do, but I’d love to know exactly what it is.

With this contract, we get our one year deal with the opportunity to keep him if Peters doesn’t recover. If Peters comes back fine, we can trade Bell and Bell still has a long term contract and job security somewhere after 2012.

Eagles front office is meek. They chose to buy starters rather then grow them. Didn’t Joe/Howie jump up to draft Graham over JPP? Danny Watkins, Trevor Laws, Nate Allen, and Jaiquawn Jarrett have been early picks, and you can not afford to miss early. There is a good reason why the Eagles elevator does not go all the way to the Penthouse.

laeaglefan says:
Apr 9, 2012 5:24 PM
Why do they even bother masking it as a 5 year deal? Why not just give him a one year contract at whatever salary they agree on? I’m sure that there’s a logical reason for doing the way that they do, but I’d love to know exactly what it is.
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Why not? If he exceeds expectations, or Peters never recovers to past form, they have a Tackle locked up, and don’t have to go into searching for a new one.

reallyilly says:
Apr 9, 2012 7:06 PM
Eagles front office is meek. They chose to buy starters rather then grow them. Didn’t Joe/Howie jump up to draft Graham over JPP? Danny Watkins, Trevor Laws, Nate Allen, and Jaiquawn Jarrett have been early picks, and you can not afford to miss early.
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So trading up to get your guy is meek? Drafting a 27 y/o guy in the first round is meek? And is this same Eagles team whose fan have complained for years that they didn;t make a splash in free agency? As for missing early, are you saying all they guys you mentioned are done (I will leave Laws out of this)? Also, I am sure that everyone but the Eagles knew that JPP was going to be what he is.

tombrookshire says:
Apr 9, 2012 5:03 PM
Typical Eagles non-contract. Bell will be gone before that roster bonus kicks in. I doubt that they expect him to remain healthy all season. They figure that, by the time he does get in 2012, the O lineman they draft will be ready to step in and play. Likely, it involves moving Herremans around to fill the gap.
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First, all teams realize that anyone can be injured at any time. Do they see the risk in Bell based on his record? Sure. But to say they expect is silly.

And let’s say Bell doesn’t remain healthy. Wouldn’t the Eagles then “expect” to go into 2013 with Peters, Mathis, Kelce, Watkins, and Herremanns. But since you said they will move Herremanns, I guess you are expecting either Watkins or Mathis will no longer be a starter. Or is Peters never coming back and Herremanns moving to LT? What is it? Because if you have all these answers, shouldn’t you be running an NFL club!!!

Eagles front office is meek. They chose to buy starters rather then grow them. Didn’t Joe/Howie jump up to draft Graham over JPP? Danny Watkins, Trevor Laws, Nate Allen, and Jaiquawn Jarrett have been early picks, and you can not afford to miss early. There is a good reason why the Eagles elevator does not go all the way to the Penthouse.

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So were Jackson, Maclin, McCoy, Kolb (got us DRC and a 2nd rounder this year). And what’s wrong with Watkins? He started half the year as a rookie on a great O-Line. And it’s a little early to say Jarrett is a miss, or else you’d have to call almost all picks last year the same.